Call to Action: We encourage attendees to provide as many inclusive play elements as possible at your campuses, no matter your current enrolled stakeholders needs.

Abstract: Play is a hugely important but often overlooked requirement of education. Children learn how to adapt and problem solve through interactive play. Learners kindergarten-age and younger are still physically developing in areas that include proprioception and their vestibular systems. Active play enhances the development of these senses. Active play also has multiple health benefits for students and acts as an outlet for physical and psychological stress. The benefits of active play need to be available to all students. Traditional playground structures often ignore students who are unable to participate in activities that don’t account for different human mobilities. The program is designed to help attendees understand different tactics for creating inclusive play for all stakeholders. Play elements extend beyond the structures created for playgrounds. Participants will learn how the ground surface can create limitless avenues for accessing the playground. During the presentation, they’ll create scenarios for all children to participate in joint play vs parallel play. Implementing universal design is a key element of the most successful play spaces. Various construction elements that may increase the initial costs will extend the lifetime of structures and save money in the end. This program will explain how shade structures extend the warranty, safety, and playtime for students. We’ll also explore the best ways to modify existing playgrounds to incorporate inclusive elements.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the various ground covering options for playground structures.
2. Identify the available inclusive playground equipment elements and how to incorporate these elements into new and existing playground structures.
3. Learn how to create playground environments that promote inclusive play.
4. Understand the different types of play that can occur on inclusive playgrounds and the health benefits they provide to kids.
5. Identify different types of project delivery methods and approaches for implementation and procurement.